Chaplin's Volkswagen
And there's a reason why Kent and his dealership team have said "Yes" to virtually every one of the hundreds of Eastside charities, schools and organizations who've come to them wanting to further the life and future of a child. How can a man who was given so little in his formative years, grow up and discover how to give so much and so freely to so many? The reason has something to do with the sobering memories of his youth. "I grew up in an alcoholic family in Worcester, Massachusetts," recalls Kent. "When the bills came, and the bills couldn't be paid, we kept moving." The family finally settled in Seattle, a number of changed addresses later, he graduated from Shorecrest High School. One reason young Kent Chaplin survived is that, when he was 20, he was friended by Bill McCalmon Sr., the owner of Lynnwood Auto-Wrecking. McCalmon told Kent, "I like you a lot. You work hard. Don't let anyone ever stop you from doing what you want to do." He loaned Kent some money to get by, and when Kent prepared a written promissory note, McCalmon scoffed. "You've given me your word," he told Kent. "I trust you."